Artist Theo Jansen and his fantastic beests

Animaris Turgentia Vela (2013-2015, above) One of Dutch artist Theo Jansen’s more successful Strandbeests, the Turgentia Vela evolved as sails were attached to a simpler walking unit, the Ordis. Its walking speed changes with the strength of the wind. Jansen says it can survive winds of up to 70kmh.ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN

Artist’s favourite: Animaris Burchus Uminami (2016-present) Theo Jansen designed most of his Strandbeests with crankshafts, similar to those found in vehicles. The Burchus, or caterpillar-like Strandbeests, replace the crankshaft with spines running along the length of the body. Sand kept getting into the joints of earlier Strandbeests, which then needed cleaning and lubrication. The 5m-long Burchus Uminami is named after the Japanese words for sea (“umi”) and waves (“nami”) and was first exhibited in Mie Prefecture, Japan. It has to be pulled along, but newer versions are powered by air and gallop elegantly along the beach. “This is my favourite,” says Jansen. “It really runs fast, I really had to run after it as well.”

Created by Dutch artist Theo Jansen, these mechanical beings called Strandbeests are made to move sand and prevent erosion on beaches

Dutch artist Theo Jansen is designing a new kind of artificial intelligence.

It started with wind-powered mechanical monsters meant to pile sand up on the beach to save the Netherlands from flooding. Coming up are flexible caterpillars that can curl into a spaceship and set off to explore different planets.

The Straits Times

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